Automatic opening, venting, and closing re-sealable container closure

Abstract

A closure set within an aperture of a container end wall, such as a beverage container, whereby pressurized gasses within the container force bias a tapered sealing panel into gas tight sealing engagement within a complementary tapered rim seal. An enclosing cover, providing contamination protection, is rotated open, uncovering a vent hole, exhausting pressurized gasses prior to the tapered sealing panel being opened, such as to provide a pour opening. Rotation of the cover actuates co-joined levers that transfer a force to automatically open or close the tapered sealing panel. A space located on the inside surface of the cover is first available to a user, containing indicia and promotional messages on initial opening of the container.

1 . A closure, set within an aperture of a container end wall, for gas tight containment of dissociating gasses that emit from carbonated beverage, whereby said container is a beverage container, and becomes pressurized when sealed, 
 said closure comprising;    a rim seal portion, inserted into said container end wall in circumferential sealing engagement defined by said container aperture, having an upper surface located on the exterior of said container, and a lower surface located on the interior of said container;    a small diameter gas vent hole located within said rim seal, communicating between said exterior and interior surfaces of said container;    an internal opening, incorporating a tapered depending wall, said taper being open toward said exterior with a first diameter, and open toward said interior with a second larger diameter;    a sealing panel, having an upper surface located toward the exterior of said container, and a lower surface located toward the interior of said container, pivotally attached to said lower surface of said rim seal;    said sealing panel having on an external periphery a depending wall with an complementary taper to said rim seal, dimensioned to fit in sealing engagement within said rim seal, located in a first stored sealing position within and against said rim seal, and having a means by which said sealing panel can be selectively rotated into a second stored pour open position, located within said container interior;    
   
   
       2 . A closure, as claimed in  claim 1 , including said closure being composed of an elastomeric material.  
   
   
       3 . A closure, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein increasing pressure building within said container is utilized to act upon said sealing panel said lower surface, compressing said tapers into a tighter sealing engagement and preventing release of said pressurized gasses.  
   
   
       4 . A closure, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an enclosing cover is formed to encompass an area described by said closure, and extending toward a near edge of said container end wall, such as to provide protection against contaminates being present under said cover area, so that product transfer contacting said area remain contamination free during drinking or pouring:  
   
   
       5 . A cover, as claimed in  claim 4 , having an upper surface located toward the exterior of said container, and lower surface located toward the interior of said container, wherein said cover is attached to said rim seal exterior surface by a hinge, including an intregral gas vent sealing cover positioned on said interior surface, covering said exterior end of said rim seal gas vent hole located proximate the central axis of said end wall, so that rotation of said cover from a first sealing position where said gas vent is covered, to a second, open position whereby said pressurized gasses are vented, and access to said closure is presented;  
   
   
       6 . A cover, as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said cover incorporates longitudinal stiffing ribs, located on said lower surface, to provide rigidity of said cover, and a lifting member located opposite said hinge location, including a frangible seal formed between and joining the periphery of said rim seal on an upper surface and said cover portion on said lower surface, encompassing said closure forming an hermetically sealed area, raising said lifting member starts a process whereby said rotation of said cover results in said frangible seal tearing and separating during an initial opening sequence, said opening sequence indicating tamper proof security by providing detectable resistance to a user during an initial opening act, which is unavailable during subsequent openings;  
   
   
       7 . A closure as described in  claim 1 , wherein co-joined levers are attached at one end to said upper surface of said sealing panel, and attached to said lower surface of said cover at a distal end, said co-joined levers being activated by said cover rotation automatically adjusting the distance between said attached ends, providing a force that is transmitted to said sealing panel, applying said force to extend or retract said co-joined levers causing rotation of said sealing panel between said first sealing position within said rim seal and a second open position, secured within the interior of said container;  
   
   
       8 . A small diameter gas vent hole as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said small diameter gas vent hole is located in said rim seal in a position proximate said hinged connection of said cover, and opposite a lifting member of said cover, so as to produce a mechanical advantage assisting in compressing said gas vent sealing cover in a seal tight connection, covering said small diameter gas vent hole on said upper surface of said rim seal;  
   
   
       9 . A cover, as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said lower surface, hidden until said container is initially opened, becomes visible, providing a location and displaying indicia offering promotional, or other messages, using methods well established to advertise products or offer rewards or prizes.  
   
   
       10 . A closure as described in  claim 7 , in an alternate embodiment, wherein different geometry of levers attached to said sealing panel are manually manipulated to impart a force to cause rotation of said sealing panel between said first sealing position within said rim seal and a second open position, secured within said interior of said container;